Ruckus Wireless Inc. has begun pitching telcos a wireless-router multimedia home networking solution based on its �BeamFlex� directional-antenna technology. Current in-home Wi-Fi solutions suffer from inadequate range, spotty coverage, interference and performance fluctuations, even for data, Ruckus vice president of products Dave Logan said. Delivering video using IPTV only complicates matters. But Ruckus� BeamFlex technology constantly looks for the best signal path between devices in the home and steers RF signals around interference, Logan said, identifying and prioritizing traffic for transmission. At 25 to 35 feet, Ruckus can transmit 25 megabits per second to 30 mbps through one to two walls, Logan said. At 50 to 75 feet, and three to four walls, Ruckus can achieve 18 to 20 mbps, he added. Ruckus installs a main router next to the digital-subscriber-line modem, then adapters at each consumer device, such as the IPTV set-top. Hong Kong operator PCCW Ltd. is the first customer for the service, Logan said, with most of the current interest coming from Asian and European operators.
Try to imagine this scenario, that General Motors and Ford were given exclusive franchises to build America's interstate highway system, and also all the highways that connect local communities. Now imagine that, based upon a financial crisis, these troubled companies decided to convert all "their" local arteries into toll-roads -- they then use incremental toll fees to severely limit all travel to and from small businesses. Why? This handicapping process reduced the need to invest in building better new roads, or repairing the dilapidated ones. But, wouldn't that short-sighted decision have a detrimental impact on the overall national economy? It's a moot point -- pure fantasy -- you say. The U.S. political leadership would never knowingly risk the nation's social and economic future on the financial viability of a restrictive duopoly. Or, would they? The 21st century Global Networked Economy travels across essential broadband infrastructure. The forced intro...